Course Attachments

Textbooks

• Problem solving and decision-making abilities through critical analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of business information. Problem solving skills and interpretation of results will be assessed on each of the two exams and the final exam.

Course Expectations

Course Specific Learning Goals

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Summarize data using descriptive statistics.
• Understand the appropriate methodology for computing all statistical measures covered in this course.
• Apply basic statistical measures to the solution of structured business problems and interpret results.
• Understand how to compute probabilities for various events.

Grading Standards

Final Course Grade Determinants

There will be two regular examinations and a final examination given during the semester.

Each student’s semester average will be computed by dividing his/her total points earned during the semester by the total possible points (i.e., 500). Semester averages are computed to three decimal places and then rounded to the nearest whole number before comparison to the following grading scale (the rounding process is explained in following section).

Superior 90% to 100% A
Above Average 80% to 89% B
Average 70% to 79% C
Below Average 60% to 69% D
Failing 59% and Below F

A. Rounding Procedure

If the fractional part of your semester average is 0.1 or higher, the average will be rounded up. If the fractional part is less than 0.1, the average will be rounded down. The following examples may help your understanding.

Example 1: A semester average of 69.01% will be rounded up to 70%. Using the grading scale above, a letter grade of “C” would be assigned.

This rounding procedure will be followed precisely as explained and no exceptions will be made.

B. Exam Format

Each regular exam and the final exam will contain a varying mixture of the following types of questions: (1) Multiple Choice Problems, (2) Unstructured Problems (in which you must develop your entire solution), and (3) Short Discussion Questions (in which you must develop and write your answer).

Submission Format Policy

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.
Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.
We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.
We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.
Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Consistent with the university attendance policy, students are expected to attend all class meetings for this course. (Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalog, Vol. LXXVII, No. 1, 2008-2010, p.90.)

Each meeting of this class will run for 80 minutes unless otherwise notified by the instructor. So as not to disturb the class, you are not to walk into or out of the classroom during the class period except for an emergency.

Arriving Late – A student who arrives late for class 4 times will be sent an administrative warning. Two additional late arrivals may result in the student being administratively dropped by the instructor. A student who comes to class after the roll has been taken will be considered absent unless the student notifies the instructor after class.

Missing Class – An administrative warning will be issued to a student who is absent from class 4 times. If the student misses 2 additional classes, the instructor may administratively drop the student from class. With no advance notice, a student who misses 4 consecutive class meetings will be administratively dropped from the course unless the student consults with the instructor.

Electronic Devices – The following policies apply to all electronic devices such as cell phone, beepers, pagers, etc.

1. All electronic devices must be turned off during class time.
2. Cell phones must not be used as calculators during exams.
3. Cell phones must be turned off and stored in a pocket, purse, or notebook during all exams.
4. No cell phone calls may be made or received during class time.
5. Two electronic disruptions during class will result in a warning and any additional disruptions will result in the student being administratively dropped from the class.

Other Policies

Make-Up Policy

If a student misses a regularly scheduled test, then the final exam will serve as the make-up for the missed test. There are no exceptions to this policy.

General Test Grading Policy

The purpose of an exam is to measure your understanding of the principles and concepts underlying each problem or question on the exam. What exactly does this mean to you?

[1] You will be required to show the logic of your solution to each unstructured problem. While the calculator is an excellent tool for assisting you in solving problems, it is your reasoning and thinking that I am interested in measuring. In order to receive full credit, you must clearly show me both the logic and the answer.

[2] You will be expected to answer all discussion questions concisely and thoroughly. Your answer must be constructed in an understandable manner using reasonable grammar and correct spelling. Furthermore, your answer must actually answer the question asked.

[3] Multiple choice questions, if used, will be designed to have (1) only one absolutely correct answer or (2) only one “most correct” answer. If a question actually has more than one correct answer, grading adjustments will be made to reflect this situation. If the student shows the correct steps to solve a multiple choice problem but misses the answer, then partial credit may be awarded for correct logic. The decision to award partial credit depends on the value of the question.

Writing Proficiency Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.